NATO Commander Calls for Coordinated Effort to Stop ‘Insider Attacks’

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) — Gen. John Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said on Thursday that the epidemic of “insider attacks” that has cost the lives of 45 coalition soldiers this year, most of them American, is a problem that requires a coordinated response.

These assaults by members of Afghan Security forces against U.S. and NATO troops are also known as “green on blue” attacks.

According to statement released by Allen, “This is not simply a Green on Blue problem; it is a threat to both Green and Blue that requires a Green and Blue solution.”

The Pentagon believes that besides personal grievances Afghans might have against foreigners, the Taliban and other insurgents have managed to infiltrate the national army and police.

Afghanistan announced this week that it had detained or kicked out hundreds of troops suspected of enemy allegiances, while the U.S. military said its Special Forces had suspended training for about 1,000 Afghan police recruits to vet existing members.

Allen concluded, “The sum total of our combined efforts will be that we are better protected. Central to success is maintaining and strengthening our bonds with our Afghan brothers and recognizing this is a threat directed at us all.”